International Women's Day falls on March 8, but the women who have made recent headlines in Malaysia do so for the wrong reasons.

They include self-styled 'First Lady' Rosmah Mansor, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the ladies of the Obedient Wives Club and the Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen, whose latest brainwave is to turn taxi drivers into "tourism ambassadors".

Perhaps, one of the taxi drivers should replace the high commissioner in London.

Last week, Ng (right) said: "After they have been selected by our appointed judges, the taxi drivers will be undergoing a one-day awareness course organised by the ministry where we will explain to them their role as tourism ambassadors."

When Jean Todt, the husband of ex-Bond girl Michelle Yeoh, was made a Malaysian 'tourism ambassador', he received an annual fee of RM593,000 and an allowance of RM388,000 towards his holidays in Malaysia.

Will the taxi drivers, our "tourism ambassadors", be given similar financial incentives? Or do "gwai lohs" get preferential treatment?

Ng wanted to improve the attitude of taxi drivers and be rid of shoddy practices, like the refusal to use meters, which many locals and tourists had complained about. So will they be satisfied with just a fancy title?

She also wanted to promote Malaysia as a duty-free shopping destination and praised the '1Malaysia GP Sale' which promised 'bargains-galore' for shoppers from March 10 to April 15.

If only Ng could persuade our self-styled 'First Lady' to make Malaysia her 'buyer's paradise'. Whenever Rosmah is overseas, it is her shopping exploits which overshadows the Prime Minster Najib Abdul Razak's visits.

When she went to Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh in January 2011, the secretive First Lady of Malaysia department received so much attention that Najib appeares to have shut it down. Gone was the pink tinged website that used to grace the official PM's website.

Rural people lack basic infrastructure

If only the victims of domestic violence, incest and teenage pregnancies could receive as much attention as the assorted coloured handbags and multi-million ringgit gems that adorn the First Lady's podgy wrist and fingers.

Rosmah's receipt of an honorary degree for education from Curtin University in Australia became a viral sensation on Facebook. In the past, Curtin was embroiled in the sex for degrees scandal; but one would not dream of associating impropriety with honorary degrees.

It must be nice receiving honorary degrees, unlike the children from the Orang Asli community or the indigenous peoples of East Malaysia, where receiving basic schooling is problematical.

Rural schools are poorly maintained and transportation is a problem. Despite the wealth from timber, oil and gas, these rural communities lack basic infrastructure. Curtin University would do well to find out the reasons these places are poorly funded and come up with solutions.

Many of us are barely surviving with the increase in food prices, petrol prices, toll charges and utility bills. It is worse for rural communities. Farmers struggle to feed their families and they spend even less on their livestock.

Animals receive reduced amounts of fodder and some may not receive veterinary care.

Spending taxpayer's money comes as second nature to most ministers and Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's family showed a great deal of finesse, when they made good use of a RM250 million loan meant for the National Feedlot Corporation project.

With great aplomb, they bought a string of luxury condominiums, a pilgrimage and the latest Mercedes-Benz car.

For many farmers, home is a wooden shack, transportation is a dilapidated truck and dreams of going on the haj, remains just that- dreams. At least Shahrizat has a choice of houses. The homes of the Penan, which are located on ancestral lands, are now under water.

Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud's vision of building mega-dams means that the interior has to be flooded to generate cheap electricity which his new aluminium smelters, will devour.

It is commendable that Shahrizat was able to protect her husband and her three children, unlike the parents of the Penan girls who were raped by loggers in the Sarawak jungles.

The women and children have nowhere to go and no-one to whom they can turn for help. They have been called "good storytellers" and "liars who often change their stories".

If only Taib's young wife, Ragad Waleed Alkurdi, would waddle out of her palatial home ground to enquire why these Penan women are angry. They have been stripped of their lands, an education and also their dignity.

Malaysian women certainly know how to grab the attention of the foreign media - like the titillating details of the Obedient Wives Club's graphic sex manual.

Despite setting a quota of 30 percent women in decision-making roles in government and industry, Najib has failed miserably in empowering women. With just Shahrizat and Ng as ministers, Najib's cabinet is not female friendly. Both women are seriously flawed.

If only capable women were in positions of responsibility, the country might not be in such a state. But then why should men care? The rules are made by men, for men.

Naturally, it is hard to talk about improving the country when the women who should be good role models are busy promoting designer handbags and rings, or collecting cows and condos.

This article was extracted from Malaysiakiniand written by MARIAM MOKHTAR who is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In 'real-speak', this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.

China Trip – Zhouzhuang 周庄 : Last Exploration & Back Shanghai (Day 3) – Well, it's my last few hours at Zhouzhuang. Sunrise – done; Boat ride – done and now it's the last exploration of this beautiful ancient water town in China before heading back to Shanghai in the afternoon. We checked out the inn, bought our stuffs with us and we went to walk around again, this time according to the map of attractions.

We visited house of ancient famous people – Shen Wan Shan, which I have no idea who he really was (I don't think he was famous, so I did not bother), then we went to a Chinese poet shop and asked the poet to write us a few poems derive from our name. This one is kinda cool, as in Zhouzhuang, you will see many shops, offering to write you a Chinese poem with your name in it, it's actually not a specialty at there, but then it's just a way of making money for them. We found it kinda interesting, so we gave our name for the poet, and he wrote us some Chinese poems. It's pretty cool. It's only 10RMB per poem, why not? We've got addicted with the poem writing and in the end, we have so many poems with my name, brother's, my girlfriend, brother's girlfriend, mom and dad, and even dad's business. =D

Later then, we found a Chinese opera house, unfortunately no opera was showing at there, it's like a museum, a Taoist temple, Mao Tse Tong's musuem, some local shops and that's all. We went back to the bus station, bought a bus ticket or 25RMB to go back to Shanghai. Instead of heading back to Shanghai South Station, we went to Shanghai Main Railway Station. The journey took longer than 2 hours this time because of traffic congestion in Shanghai. At there, we took the Shanghai Metro to go back to our hotel, take a rest, then explore again. Fun! Shanghai was so much warmer, at 6 degree celcius.

This is Shen Wan Shan 沈万山.

Poet and calligrapher – Mr Zhi Xue.

A Taoist temple.

Cool barber shop with Uncle Mao's photo on the wall.

Wan Shan Ti / Wan Shan Hock, pork knuckles.

Had Yangzhou Fried Rice for lunch, it tasted oily and not-bad. This costs 10RMB. We were told by the waitress that Zhouzhuang doesn't has any must-eat or local food, many of the foods are from other places.

The Chinese Opera House.

Bus station, waiting for bus.

Finally back to Shanghai, this is Shanghai Main Railway Station.

It's about 4.30pm, the sky was getting dark already. We headed to the Shanghai Metro to take the train back to our hostel.

Like New York, the track shares with train of different lines, so you have see the screen clearly so that you will not get on the wrong line.

D-26 days. We just completed a marathon four-and-a-half hours' long meeting of the editorial team today, meant to wrap up the layout of The Old Frees' Association's coffee table book, Fidelis. Yup, it's confirmed: Fidelis will run to 208 pages!

It was a good meeting. We have decided on the cover of the book, finalised the articles that will appear, justified the order in which the essays on the Old Boys will appear (very important, this!), chose all the pictures for the book and met with the printers. The best news is that the messages from the Raja of Perlis and the Chief Minister have been received: the CM's this morning and from the Palace in Arau in the afternoon.

Of necessity, I shall have to keep today's entry short because I'm going to rush out soon to the hypermarket for some shopping of home essentials. Have neglected this to the point where provisions are running extremely low! Then later, to start consolidating the proof-reading....

Umno has drastically "changed" into a haven of Hired thugs, ruffians, rowdies and rogues, Hoodlums, hell-bent on creating havoc, Hecklers, harassers, haranguers, hustlers, and Herds of goons, goblins and gangsters!

The Umnoputras have become increasingly Haughty and superior low-life creatures, Hardcore pornography producers and purveyors, Hoaxsters, hackers and haters and Head honchos of ugly, gutter politics!

After 66 years, Umno can proudly boast of Hypocritical leaders who hoodwink their own race, Humbug ministers with endless hype on reform, Hedonistic elites, corrupt, rotten to the core and Half-past-six ministers with hollow promises!

As its political survival hangs by a thread, Umno has Hijacked the independence of key civil institutions, Handed out handsome, hefty sums to bribe a nation, Heedless, that we are headed for bankruptcy Hard hit by the heaviest debt in the nation's history!

Umno's Home Minister even gives a free hand to its Henchmen so adept at honing a siege mentality, Hordes of high-handed "little Napoleon mullahs", Hassan Alis, Harussanis, bigoted "heroes" and Hideous editors spewing sedition so brazenly!

Umno's hemorrhaging can also be seen in parliament Hostile MPs abuse their unabashed brute majority, Histrionics, hysterics are now a hallmark of Umno YBs, Hogwash, half-baked answers are hollered in reply and Heavy-handed actions by the Speaker complete the circus!

The world is equally humoured by Umno's PM who Holds his faltering image high with stunts and slogans, Harps on unity whilst Umno divides, rules, dominates, Hobbles, whilst puppeted by Dr M, the defacto PM and Hums "change" whilst hemmed in by Umno's hardliners!

I hope PAS marches this Friday to condemn this infamy, yep when pigs fly-edit! Benghazi: "A year ago they begged for Britain's help," and now they desecrate British war graves. That was the Daily Mail's observation today. The excuse du jour, once again, is the irrational fit of rage over the Qur'an burnings: "The violence was thought to be retaliation, in part, for the burning of the Koran by US soldiers in Afghanistan last month."

Never mind that it was not even British forces who were involved in the incident. Once again, this is a rampage finding its excuse, as the attitudes and inclinations to wreak havoc and destruction when offended preceded the excuse seized upon for doing so.

We have also already seen a growing, demonstrative hostility in Libya to shrines and graves even of minority Muslim sects. The video and report show that this rampage was far more about the crosses (and a Star of David) in the cemetery than anything else. Hat tip: Jihad Watch and Lt Col (Rtd) Idris: "What a shame, so much for helping liberate Libya. At least Gaddafi for what ever he represented ensured all who gave their lives for peace and freedom rested in peace".

Tun Daim Zainuddin is not a person who lies about what he feels. He also does not simply shower other people with words of compliments, and neither will he hide his sentiments over anything.

The former Finance Minister and Economic Adviser to the Government (during Tun Dr Mahathir's era) was honest when lauding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib's administration, that the latter is ready to charge Malaysia forward.

"If you differentiate the characteristics of the two leaders, Anwar (the Opposition Leader) and Najib, you will be inclined to give higher marks to Najib, how in my view, has benefited a lot as a son of Tun Razak," he told Mingguan Malaysia yesterday.

As a leader, he described Najib as having a sharp mind in everything, and that gives give him the advantage against Anwar, who joined the Umno Youth long after Najib.

I agree. Just like Mukhriz, Najib has been observing how his father administered the government. Fast learning from it, he has developed his own capability to improve what his father and the prime ministers before him did.

Daim also shot down suggestions that Malaysia (under Najib) will go bankrupt by 2020 over its huge foreign debts.

The country's debt is manageable, Daim said, adding that the government is taking the prudent approach in managing its debt and in ensuring the economy stays vibrant.

It was a downright statement from a former Finance Minister.

I think Anwar and his team should learn from Daim. Although he was also a Finance Minister, Daim's economic management comes second to nothing. Anwar was just taking feeds from his aides then.

A group of 15-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View restaurant because they had only $6.00 among them and Jimmy Johnson, the cute boy in Social Studies, lived on that street.

10 years later, the ...group of 25-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the beer was cheap, the restaurant offered free snacks, the band was good, there was no cover and there were lots of cute guys.

10 years later, the group of 35-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the cosmos were good, it was right near the gym and, if they went late enough, there wouldn't be too many whiny little kids.

10 years later, the group of 45-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters had tight pants and nice buns.

10 years later, the group of 55-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the prices were reasonable, the wine list was good, the restaurant had windows that opened (in case of hot flashes), and fish is good for cholesterol.

10 years later, the group of 65-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the lighting was good and the restaurant had an early bird special.

10 years later, the group of 75-years-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food was not too spicy and the restaurant was handicapped-accessible.

10 years later, the group of 85-years-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.

Umno has drastically "changed" into a haven of Hired thugs, ruffians, rowdies and rogues, Hoodlums, hell-bent on creating havoc, Hecklers, harassers, haranguers, hustlers, and Herds of goons, goblins and gangsters!

The Umnoputras have become increasingly Haughty and superior low-life creatures, Hardcore pornography producers and purveyors, Hoaxsters, hackers and haters and Head honchos of ugly, gutter politics!

After 66 years, Umno can proudly boast of Hypocritical leaders who hoodwink their own race, Humbug ministers with endless hype on reform, Hedonistic elites, corrupt, rotten to the core and Half-past-six ministers with hollow promises!

As its political survival hangs by a thread, Umno has Hijacked the independence of key civil institutions, Handed out handsome, hefty sums to bribe a nation, Heedless, that we are headed for bankruptcy Hard hit by the heaviest debt in the nation's history!

Umno's Home Minister even gives a free hand to its Henchmen so adept at honing a siege mentality, Hordes of high-handed "little Napoleon mullahs", Hassan Alis, Harussanis, bigoted "heroes" and Hideous editors spewing sedition so brazenly!

Umno's hemorrhaging can also be seen in parliament Hostile MPs abuse their unabashed brute majority, Histrionics, hysterics are now a hallmark of Umno YBs, Hogwash, half-baked answers are hollered in reply and Heavy-handed actions by the Speaker complete the circus!

The world is equally humoured by Umno's PM who Holds his faltering image high with stunts and slogans, Harps on unity whilst Umno divides, rules, dominates, Hobbles, whilst puppeted by Dr M, the defacto PM and Hums "change" whilst hemmed in by Umno's hardliners!

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